Thursday, March 15, 2007

Today’s text

1 John 2:18-20

“Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not belong to us; for if they belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But by going out they made it plain that none of them belongs to us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge” (1 John 2:18-20).

Prayer

Jesus, you have been the source of many divisions. It troubles me, always has. You come that we might abide in you and know the Loving Mystery you bear in our mutual abiding. Yet, you who are all life and joy, who are eternal wonder and everlasting peace, are more often a point of bitter discord even among those who believe into you. Or so it seems.

If only, … if only we truly knew you and the wonder you bear, would we then live beyond bitterness, pride and fear in which we tear at each other? Would we find ways to love and honor each other and your holy body, refusing to rend the garment of loving unity in which you seek to dress us and all things? We rip apart the concord you would create among us.

It has been so since the beginning. Bathed in your love, there remain deep wounds in our souls that do not yet know the healing wonder of being loved beyond all reason. We long for this freedom.

Heal us holy Jesus. Only you can. We need to know you; every part of us needs to know and abide in your love. Then, knowledge of you shall fill us, and we will learn the ways of peace. Amen.

--Pr. David L. Miller